[Burgoyne's Convention Army]

Clarke, Jonathan. Autograph letter signed ("Jon:a Clarke"), 1 page (12 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 327 x 200 mm), "Cambridge, N[ew] E[ngland], 8 January 1778, to Colonel David Henley in Cambridge; formerly folded, silked on verso, lightly browned, fold tear in right margin affecting one word, a few light spots and stains. Blue half-morocco clamshell box.

formerly folded, silked on verso, lightly browned, fold tear in right margin affecting one word, a few light spots and stains.
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British prisoners in Cambridge await the bill for their provisions.

Burgoyne's surrender of his entire army at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 had several repercussions, among them moving France to enter the war, and temporarily destroying his reputation at home, for which General Gates gave him leave to return to England and defend himself. Rather than an unconditional surrender, Burgoyne negotiated a "convention"  which required his men to surrender their weapons, and to leave for home with a pledge not to return to North America. This convention was soon repudiated by the Congress, and his remaining men imprisoned. Jonathan Clarke was Burgoyne's commissary general, captured along with his commander. Here he is writing from prison in Cambridge,  (pointedly called "New England" instead of Massachusetts), to Colonel David Henley (1748 / 49-1803), prison commander there. The army ended up spending about a year in Cambridge, while negotiations concerning its status took place in military and diplomatic channels. During this year, about 1,300 prisoners escaped, often because they became involved with local women while working on farms in the area.

Clarke has been pressed by General Burgoyne to provide an account of costs incurred by the prisoners, but it still waiting for a response: "On the 25th Decem[be]r I enclosed you a copy of an order I had the honor to receive from His Excell[en]cy Lt. Genl. Burgoyne directing me to procure a stated acco[un]t of all demands against the Troops of the Convention from their arrival at this place; you was[sic] so obliging as to answer that you would immediately lay it before Genl. Heath for a speedy settlement — since which, the General has made repeated requisitions to me, but I have not been able to procure any [stated?] acco[un]t ... altho' the quantity of Provisions they have received to Dec[embe]r 31st is ascertained. I am now directed to repeat my application to you & to devise that the acco[un]t may be immediately furnished, or that a reason may be given for so great a delay."